Snippets

Bulls' Shortlist Three
The whole process has seemed as slow as the ox-wagons that brought some of the Voortrekker settlers to the patch of veld that is now known as Pretoria or Tshwane, in the Gauteng Province, of South Africa....

All Change At The Blues
In May 2018 Tana Umaga had his contract as head coach of the Blues extended to the end of the 2019 season. The extension was somewhat surprising considering the run of poor results the team...

Twiggy's Rugby Rebel Competition Grows
At the end of 2017 the Western Force were booted out of Super Rugby after a long and costly fight. Aussie billionaire Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest had joined the fight for the Force to stay in...

Bizzy Has Neck Surgery!
Bismarck du Plessis has often been mentioned as a back-up option for the Springbok hooking berth, especially if the likes of Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, and Akker van der Merwe were injured.
This has become more likely...

Jean Deysel Retires
Ulster Rugby have confirmed that former Springbok and Sharks loose forward Jean Deysel has retired from all forms of professional rugby with immediate effect.
Deysel enjoyed a career that earned him win four caps for the Springboks. He...

Sam Cane Up and About!
Sam Cane is “up and about” following a successful operation on his neck. The 26-year-old All Black flanker fractured a bone in his neck during the All Blacks’ comeback 32-30 win over the Springboks in...

Rugby Championships 2018 Stats & Facts
&
Bill’s Dream Team
The dust has settled, the trophy remains in New Zealand, the teams are all back home again, and the migrant workers have returned to their overseas clubs.
The 2018 Rugby Championships...

Sam Cane's Neck Broken In Test.
Sam Cane is not one to show any emotion while he is on a rugby field. He is the picture of complete focus and concentration. That is his way. He never flinches or grimaces...

The TMO In The Spotlight, Again.
The Television Match Officials, or TMOs as we have preferred to call them, have been the target of much derision, disdain, and ridicule over the years. They have often been the cause of some...

New Law – More Confusion?
I have often wondered whether it is a deliberate tactic of the various functionaries that sit on the plethora of committees and councils at World Rugby headquarters to make constant changes to the laws and...

Tony Brown Takes Over Sunwolves Job.
The Sunwolves have announced that Tony Brown will take over the team’s coaching reins from Jamie Joseph for the 2019 Super Rugby season.
The ex-Highlander and All Black flyhalf has been involved in coaching since...

Joe Marler Walks Away From Test Rugby.
England and Harlequins loosehead prop Joe Marler has announced his retirement from international rugby.
Marler, who has 59 England caps, said that he was making the decision to spend more time with his family.
“It has been an honour...

The Stirring Giant – MLR Adds Two Teams
Major League Rugby announced on Friday that two new member teams based in Atlanta and Boston have been accepted into the league. Both cities are known for their passionate sports fans.
The new...

Jake Throws His Hat in the Ring! (Again!)
Never one to miss an opportunity to apply for a job as a national coach, no matter where in the world it will take him, former Springbok boss Jake White has stated...

When Ink Ain't Good!
World Rugby has advised the teams competing in the 2019 Rugby World Cup, and their travelling supporters, that they need to cover up any tattoo markings in public places for fear of causing offence. – Tattoos...